Before the 707, Boeing had nice sales to the military but was an also-ran in the commercial market. Lockheed, and to a far bigger degree, Douglas owned that world.

Until the 707.

The initial variation wasn’t wide enough for 6 seats. In a fateful decision, Boeing decided to rework their designs, manufacturing equipment, and production line.

They added enough width to get 6 seats for American and got a big order (50 at the time). Then they added length for another customer, larger wings for another, more powerful engines for another, and Rolls Royce engines for BOAC. Any way you wanted a 707, you could get it.

All of a sudden, every airline was buying 707s.

Since that time, the name Boeing essentially has been the definition of commercial jet.

From 1956 to 1966, Boeing took over the commercial market, not only with the 707 that everyone wanted, but the 737 (>7,000 delivered, >4,500 in service today) and 747 (1,486 delivered). Think of that – in a decade, the 707, 737, and 747. A 60 year production run and going strong.

What an amazing run.

Two very nice anniversaries this week of the astounding progress in the past.